Lyme disease, a tick-born infection that affects more than 27,000 people in the United States each year, can cause the disorder arthritis. Lyme disease occurs most often in people living in the northeastern and midwestern United States. Children and adolescents, especially boys between five and 19-years-old, have some of the highest rates of Lyme disease infection.
Knee Pain, Swelling and Stiffness
Arthritis is a later sign of infection with Lyme disease, which often occurs months and years after the child's initial deer tick bite. Lyme arthritis often causes pain and swelling in one joint of the body, frequently the knee, which lasts for days or weeks.
